Kevin-Prince Boateng ended his soccer career on Friday August 11, 2023, at the age of 36. If he looks in the rear-view mirror, he will surely see some moments of genius, and some less glorious facts. Here's a look back at some of the highlights of his career.
Kevin-Prince Boateng is the kind of talented player with flashes of genius, but whose career leaves a taste of unfinished business. In the early 2010s, the whole world discovered a midfielder capable of doing everything on the pitch. Capable of harassing opponents, projecting himself, breaking lines, offering goals and scoring them, Jérôme's brother had caused a sensation and was destined for a bright future. On August 11, 2023, he announced the end of his sporting career, aged 36. He won Serie A with Milan and La Liga with Barça. Here's a look back at the highlights of his time on the pitch.
The 2010 World Cup with Ghana
Kevin-Prince Boateng will be best remembered for his magnificent 2010 World Cup. On South African soil, he and the Black Stars dazzled Africa and the world. Ghana reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Uruguay on penalties. They could have reached the semi-finals had it not been for Luis Suarez's handball... Boateng had scored in the Round of 16 against the USA (2-1 a.p).
After a brilliant World Cup 2010, Ghana thought they had Kevin-Prince Boateng in their midfield.At the age of 23, the player carried the hopes of an entire nation.Sadly, this was not to be. Boateng's adventure with Ghana was to have a tumultuous aftermath. In November 2011, he unexpectedly announced his international retirement.
Kevin-Prince Boateng reversed his decision almost two years later (in August 2013) and announced that he was once again available. The coach called on him again in November of the same year.He scored on his return against Egypt.It was to be his last international goal. From the 2014 World Cup adventure in Brazil, he was excluded from the squad on June 26, 2014, just before the final group match against Portugal. The fault lay with his violent behavior. In the end, Boateng wore the Black Stars jersey 15 times, scoring 2 goals. He has never played in an African Cup of Nations with Ghana.
Kevin versus Jerome, the Boatengs make history At the 2010 World Cup, Kevin-Prince Boateng made history, as did his brother Jerome. In the third group match, Ghana challenged Germany. Jérôme Boateng was a regular in the German defense.The two brothers came face to face. It was the first time in World Cup history that two brothers had faced each other. For the record, Germany won 1-0. Both teams had qualified for the Round of 16.
A goal of genius against Barça
On a few occasions, Kevin-Prince Boateng has been on the verge of genius.Such was the case on November 23, 2011, with AC Milan against FC Barcelona in the Champions League.A portmanteau control, a heel dribble on Abidal, who is still having nightmares, and an unstoppable near-post strike for Victor Valdès.He scored others just as magnificent.We leave it to you to appreciate.
Kevin-Prince Boateng vient d'annoncer sa retraite.
Purée, les buts de zinzin en LDC avec le Milan !pic.twitter.com/aSve61rP5E
— EspoirsduFootball (@EspoirsduFoot) August 11, 2023
A man of adventures
Hertha (twice), Tottenham, Dortmund, Portsmouth, Genoa, AC Milan (twice), Schalke, AC Milan, Las Palmas, Frankfurt, Sassuolo, FC Barcelona, Fiorentina, Besiktas, Monza... These are not the teams that have won titles in the 21st century, but all the teams Kevin-Prince Boateng has played for.This raises the question of whether he has pushed his taste for adventure to the limit, or whether he has made so many bad choices that he has been relegated to the sidelines for several years.
